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WIW… and musings on C, P, T, S

Runcarla

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October is the start of 3 months of ‘off and on’ wardrobe work that starts with a closet audit and ends with a review of my moniker, a style statement, and style goals for the new year. My first exercise was to sort my clothing and accessories by Colour, Pattern, Texture, and Shine and see if there was anything to learn.

What I discovered is that Colour is how I do most of my ‘communicating’ and I have a reasonable amount of Texture to keep things interesting. I’m in need of (and want) more pattern to play with, and I have hardly any bling or Shine (and have to be creative to find more than the 3 obvious ‘shiny’ items!)

Cooler weather had me experimenting with what was in the closet, and layering let me tick the boxes for C (hunter green, golden beige)T (pleather pants, calfskin and suede shoes), P (scarf and footwear*), and S (sheen of satiny puffer).

* I was going to wear black loafers, but felt the outfit needed more pattern than just the scarf (which doesn’t show up well in the photo) and the shoes ‘bookend’ the puffer and my hair.

I’m giving myself a C, P, T, S challenge for the ‘dress casual’ opportunities that are coming up this month. What about you? Are C, P, T, and S something that you think about when you put an outfit together?

Thanks for looking!

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36 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

CarolS

Veteran

The patterned loafers were a brilliant choice and this outfit has to stand out among your finest, Carla!

I honestly don't usually make conscious choices about CPTS but you might inspire me to do so.

slim cat

Veteran

That's beautiful! I'm still looking for shiny tank top to wear with holiday outfits ( might be a while ). My S,P,T,S usually done on the subconscious level.
I figured that faux leather jackets could help me with my outfit building - the black/navy leather ( or faux leather ) looks much more interesting than traditional black/navy jackets and adds texture.
Wish I could do your type of pants - looks so fab on you!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I don’t, no, perhaps instinctively though. I realise I have been wearing heaps of black, which is probably not what the forum thinks I wear- but I do wear a lot of it in our winter and am comfortable in it if a little bored.
Pleased then to have been getting good wear out of the new Oxfords I bought at Easter- they are black but have the sparkles on and definitely add interest I feel. Love your outfit!

SarahD8

Veteran

I don't think about this concept much when getting dressed but you certainly make a good case for doing so. Wow!!! This has got to be one of your best outfits. Pitch perfect in every detail.

(Your hair adds some lovely texture, too!)

Kate

Veteran

I do, or at least I do for C, T, and S. Rarely P for me.

Since I often dress in a column of color, texture & shine are something I always try to incorporate. I do have quite a few things with subtle shine, and many items with texture. When I do wear pattern, 9 times out of 10 it's in a top, and I have three with abstract patterns, in either black, white and gray, or black, white, gray, mustard and apple green. I also have an oversized sweater vest in apple green and dark olive check, which I bought last year from Aritizia and have yet to wear (hangs head).

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don’t consciously think about these things, but they might be what is off when I decide against an outfit. I wear a limited color palette, I don’t like shiny, and I don’t wear a ton of pattern, either. I do find that variation in texture becomes important in my case. I recently thrifted a black oversized blazer because it has a slight texture to it. I immediately found that it works well even with more black simply due to the texture.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I do think about it, especially if I’m wearing a column of color. Your outfit looks great!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What a great sophisticated look—like youre about to step into the drawing room for a dram.

My favorite “texture” piece of yours is that great lace T, which I think can go from dressy to shorts.

I thought about CPTS when I put together the CoC outfit posted recently. Generally, when I review an outfit, I find I have all 4, but if what I’m wearing feels blah, I might check this. My “shine” is sometimes in my shoes, like the buckles on yours.

Sally

Veteran

I don’t think about it. I’m not analytical dresser at all. Your outfit looks very well put together and I can see how you have considered all 4 aspects.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Fabulous proof of concept! More polished than I could manage. I like how the scarf bookends the shoes.

This resonates, in terms of mixing and matching. I think I do it semi-consciously. I notice that metallics and other shiny materials seem to work like brights to elevate neutral colors. I’d like to make better use of that.

Star

Veteran

Well done! Looking good. I don't consider this but you have convinced me that from here forward I should.

Inge

(website)

I love your analysis, Carla, and I love this outfit! The animal print, golden beige and green are beautiful together, and this silhouette works so well on you.

I would actually put the pleather pants in both the Texture and Shine category, as to my eye, they provide the same subtle sheen as your puffer.

Dee

Veteran

No, truthfully i don't actually think much beyond perhaps colour, pattern, and appropriateness for the occassion.
However, your outfit is so well put together and is a perfect example of the effectiveness of the other elements when creating an outfit.

Jules

Veteran

I don’t think about it consciously but I did internalize it to some extent from watching WNTW back in the ‘00s. Probably the reason I embraced pattern and metallics in the ‘10s. Texture has probably been my weak point but currently I’m somewhat off the other three and attracted to solid neutrals in richer textures.
Anyway, I love this outfit! It’s perfect for you and aspirational for me - classic, practical pieces in understated but interesting solids which are on the fence between neutral and colour, and small doses of pattern in the form of refined footwear and scarf. Perfect!

unfrumped

Veteran

Coolest outfit ever!
Thinking about these factors a bit more. I too use color the most- not necessarily b bright colors, but recognizable. Patter next maybe , though not always as cleverly as I’d like. I do like patterned handbags unexpectedly, but am not a big bag person and now reaching for smaller purses.
Shine is hard for me since it appears I’m not as comfortable with metallic shoes and handbags as I thought- I’ve had some and let them go. I actually can manage patent leather better. But keep looking for very subtle metallics.
Texture is hard to get really dramatic- I rely on suede footwear as one, or some elements of sneaker fabrics, winter knits.
Winter is potentially easier since can do some combinations similar to yours, with contrast of woolens, nylon puffer fabrics.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What isn’t mentioned in that formula are the things that tend to be issues for me—shape and proportion. If I’m not careful, I look like a ( It’s hard to avoid, because I don’t like flappy things, so most clothing lies close to my body, but with long legs & a flat chest, it really matters. I think nailing those factors is what makes this outfit work so well.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

You look fab. The pleather pants are some of your best. The CPTS method is a great way to strategize outfits.

I’ve attempted this method before, but always fall back on the BAP plan myself. Base, accent, pop. It’s more comfortable and makes more sense to me, but I fully advocate any successful guideline.

LJP

Veteran

What a chic look Carla - very sophisticated for Fall. Love your colour choices, and everything else. I couldn't say I think about those factors while dressing (see my last post about CofC) as I'm more intuitive than anything. I also don't wear prints a whole lot - which I'm ambivalent about changing.

RobinF

Veteran

Fabulous outfit! I love those pants every time you show them.

I don't consciously think of CPTS but it's an intriguing idea. I often use pattern OR texture but not both. Texture feels busy to me like a pattern, unless it is very subtle. I probably consider color more than anything.

Joy

Veteran

I think most about color but like some to break it up a bit. CPTS is a good option. Lately I have even using pattern a lot for this purpose. I also use the shine of metallics, especially footwear plus bag and jewelry. I also use texture most in winter outfits, pleats, lace, velvet, a fuzzy or cabled sweater. Hot weather dressing is more of a challenge and I use pattern more often.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER

The patterns add lots of pizazz! The earthy toffee is fab with your hair. LOVE

To answer your question:

I tend to follow my mood.

Do I feel like wearing a lot, or a bit of colour today.....(my specs always have me wearing a bit of colour)

Do I feel like wearing a lot, a bit, or no pattern today....

My white pearls add daily shine , and I don't seem to think or worry about texture!

Bonnie

Veteran

Lovely outfit. I think about color and pattern mostly and not so much about texture and shine. Seeing your results have inspired me to consider them, too.

Roberta

Veteran

I am Jules - I became a CTPS ride-or-die during the What Not to Wear heyday. Now I do it without thinking about it. Yesterday was jeans and a t-shirt day, but I still had sparkly earrings, colorful sneakers, a striped Breton tee, and very distressed jeans.

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Star

Veteran

Carla, did you see the Vivienne Files today? The first colour scheme looks quite like yours.

Part 2 October 2022: Six Scarves, 12 Months - The Vivienne Files

DonnaF

Veteran

Y’all wear color for me. This means I have to pay a lot of attention to texture and shine since I also don’t wear a lot of pattern.

cat2

Veteran

I don’t do this consciously, but most outfits that make me happy check these boxes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is a great outfit, Carla! Love the patterned shoes and how they bookend hair and scarf, and agree with Inge that the trousers also add a bit of sheen. Those pants were another brilliant purchase this year. Two fab pairs of green pants -- one linen for summer, one pleather for fall/winter!

I don't consciously think of C,P, T, S or at least. not often -- but remember Shannon? She used to use this formula a lot and I think I learned so much from her mantra that I do it a bit subconsciously, now. I lack in the shine department and to some extent in the texture department -- I forget those elements quite a lot -- but I do always have a tiny bit of shine with silver earrings and watch, I guess, at the minimum.

Anonymous

Wonderful outfit! Very cool hair, puffer and shoe color match

I enjoyed reading your process. I usually start with an item that I want to wear. Then I consider ensemble ideas to reflect weather, season, mood and planned activity. I evaluate accessories, outerwear and footwear. I use inspiration from YLF, pics and my environment.

Thanks for the fun post!

Anonymous

Not cosciously, but I probably should! Love the outfit!

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